Monrovia – The Political Chief of the Liberian Folks’s Celebration (LPP), Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe, has expressed frustration over the failure of the Boakai-Koung-led administration to depart from the detrimental practices of previous governments, together with fiscal excesses, human rights violations, and disrespect for worldwide conventions.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Cllr. Gongloe described the present administration’s conduct, significantly a big authorities delegation’s journey to Japan, as nothing wanting “legalized theft.”
Showing on the OK Morning Rush Present on OK FM 99.5 on Tuesday, Cllr. Gongloe stated President Joseph Boakai — who campaigned on a promise of a “Rescue Mission” to scrub up the excesses of former President George Weah’s administration — is now repeating the identical missteps.
“Extra of the issues that occurred prior to now beneath the primary UP authorities and CDC authorities are taking place now,” he stated.
Cllr. Gongloe particularly cited the continuing Tokyo journey for the Ninth Tokyo Worldwide Convention on African Improvement (TICAD9), the place over 23 authorities officers — and doubtlessly as much as 40 — are reportedly a part of a weeklong mission. In accordance with estimates, the journey might price taxpayers upwards of US$192,640, excluding airfare.
“Legalized theft is taking one thing away from individuals,” Cllr. Gongloe stated. “If you put and look within the funds of extra of the highest authorities officers, possibly a little or no or lower than 20% is left for the Liberian individuals. I’ve come to explain a number of the issues that occurred within the Liberian authorities as legalized theft.”
Below the Revised Journey Regulation, every delegate is entitled to about US$688 per day in per diem, lodge, and subsistence prices—totaling US$4,816 per individual for the journey. Multiplied by 23 delegates, the fee quantities to US$110,768, with the whole projected to exceed US$192,000 if the complete delegation of 40 participates.
Cllr. Gongloe additionally criticized the administration for failing to behave decisively within the face of questionable deaths and alleged human rights abuses. He referenced the deaths of Melvin Earley, an Government Safety Service (EPS) officer, and Sergeant Bobby Manneh of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), each of whom have been formally declared suicides beneath suspicious circumstances.
“We cry President Weah down for the dying of Melvin Earley, the EPS officer who was reported that he dedicated suicide by capturing himself 3 times—which doesn’t make sense to us. Sergeant (Bobby) Manneh was discovered useless on the Edward Beyan Kesseley Barracks final yr and the official assertion that got here from the AFL stated he dedicated suicide by capturing himself six instances. What sort of nation is that this?” Cllr. Gongloe requested.
He additionally condemned the deportation of a Guinean refugee beneath the present administration—just like a deportation beneath Weah—arguing that each circumstances violated worldwide regulation, particularly the Refugee Conference.
“Why we name ourselves the oldest impartial nation and the nation that was established as an asylum for abuse of human rights?” Gongloe requested. “Extradition is for prison offenses and never for political offenses.”
He burdened that the Ministry of Justice has no authority to unilaterally order arrests or releases, emphasizing that such powers relaxation solely with the judiciary or the Legislature.
Cllr. Gongloe, a human rights lawyer and former Solicitor Normal, famous that he was not stunned by the current damning 2024 U.S. Human Rights Report on Liberia, however expressed disappointment in President Boakai’s failure to reply to its findings.
“I might by no means be in a authorities that can ship somebody who runs away from his nation for worry of prosecution again,” he declared. “As Minister of Justice and with my recommendation—I couldn’t have finished that.”
On political appointments, Cllr. Gongloe revealed that President Boakai as soon as supplied him the put up of Justice Minister, which he declined in favor of his working mate, Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo.
“I felt that between Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo, my working mate, and I, he (Urey) wanted to enter authorities greater than I wanted. Management requires that you simply be selfless,” Gongloe stated.
He stated he suggested President Boakai to not recycle former ministers from previous administrations however to raise youthful deputies and assistant ministers who might show their price and present that the administration was critical about actual change.
“If I have been within the authorities, I might have resigned by now,” Cllr. Gongloe added.
In current days, President Joseph Boakai has confronted mounting criticism for main a big delegation to Japan for TICAD9 and the Osaka Expo. Critics argue that he’s repeating the very practices he and the Unity Celebration condemned through the administration of former President George Weah and the Coalition for Democratic Change.
Nonetheless, Data Minister Jerolinmek Piah, who can also be a part of the delegation, dismissed the criticisms earlier than the crew’s departure. He defended each the dimensions and the aim of the mission to Japan, insisting it’s in the very best curiosity of the nation.
“President Boakai has not left this nation to remain out for 58 days. He didn’t do it to observe a soccer sport. He has not left this nation with a delegation of fifty individuals,” Minister Piah stated. “We don’t wish to go into these sorts of issues. The nation has to make progress. What Mr. Weah and his authorities did what the opposite individuals did—allow us to not attempt to attract the previous president into these sorts of stuff. We are able to set up that the variables will not be the identical.”
Minister Piah emphasised that Liberia’s participation in TICAD9 and the Osaka Expo is essential for the nation’s growth, funding promotion, and worldwide cooperation.
“Each authorities all through the world participates. Besides you’re searching for growth, funding, alternative—then you definately keep away. That’s how vital it’s,” he stated.
Minister Piah revealed that Liberia has appointed former Ambassador Julie Endee as Commissioner Normal for the Osaka Expo and that ministries together with Overseas Affairs, Commerce, and Data are all concerned within the occasion.
“Once we go away the TICAD Summit, that can have all of the leaders who’re involved that their nation will make progress, then we go to the Osaka Expo. Then we’ll come again,” Piah defined.
He defended the inclusion of a number of officers, saying their presence is crucial to fulfilling Liberia’s position and pursuits at each occasions.
“All of the officers who you noticed listed are a part of the journey—it’s due to their position and what they need to do to make sure that we get some dividends from these two worldwide engagements. Commerce relations amongst nations are crucial,” Minister Piah acknowledged.
Whereas acknowledging that the advantages might not be fast, Minister Piah insisted that such journeys are essential for Liberia’s long-term financial pursuits.
